Riccardo Muti will continue his relationship with Putin supporter Ildar Abdrazakov when he conducts “Simon Boccanegra” in September in Japan.

The concerts, which will take place on Sept. 13 and 15, 2025 as part of the Spring festival in Tokyo, will feature Abdrazakov alongside George Petean, Iwona Sobotka, and Piero Pretti.

The performance marks the latest collaboration between Muti and Abdrazakov since the Russian bass endorsed Putin. The two performed “Attila” in September and the performances received the first prize among concert performances according to the authoritative Japanese music publication Ongaku-No-Tomo. They also joined forces for a concert in Ravenna.

In a recent interview with Muti regarding “Attila,” the conductor defended Abdrazakov and said, “We will be lucky to have an exceptional singer, Ildar Abdrazakov.”

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